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Tuesday, July 23, 2013

Sex Trafficking-a post that is not for the faint of heart.

Did you know that the Super Bowl is the single largest human trafficking event in the United States? source

Did you know that the average age of a sex trafficking victim is between 11 and 14 years old?source

Did you know thatchildren are trafficked out of or into the United States from all regions of the world and represent a variety of different races, ethnic groups and religions?Yes, children are being smuggled into and out of our country.And then there is this:

-The average life of a commercial sex slave is 7 years. (They die of injury, disease, suicide, etc.)

-18,000 to 20,000 people are trafficked across our borders every single year.

-Runaways are at extremely high risk...33% will be sexually exploited withing 48 hours. 90% of runaways will ultimately end up in the commercial sex trade.source

Babies are born into the sex trade and "marked " in many cases with a tattoo of some kind. Children as young as a year old are abused and raped and stripped of their humanity in order to serve the sick lusts of the enemy's minions. This is not just a "third world" problem. It is here and it is rampant. Pedophiles and pimps roam the streets...and the internet...for victims and our kids are at risk. Poverty is a high risk factor, but kids from affluent homes, Christian homes, are enslaved and exploited every day. Indeed,your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. (1 Pet. 5:8)
So what do we do? The problem is huge. Like the orphan crisis it seems too big to overcome. But does that mean we do nothing? Of course not.

So here are a few suggestions:

First of all, guard your babies. Mamas, I know you enjoy showing off your kids on your blogs and Facebook. I do too. But did you know that a trafficker or pimp can easily lift photos of your kids off your blog and use them to advertise their "merchandise" on their websites? If your blog is public, like mine, then you are at risk of having those cute pics of your two year old lifted and copied and sold. That is why you will not see pictures of my children on this blog. Be aware. Make your photos private, for trusted friends and family ONLY.

Second, keep your eyes open. In stores, at the public swimming pool, at the local gym. Evil is everywhere and your girls and boys are being watched. Do not let your boys go to the locker room in public recreational facilities alone. Do not let your little boys go to the public restrooms alone. My 6 year old son hates having to go to the womens' restroom, but if he is with mama and daddy isn't there to help he just has to deal. I'm not letting my little boy line up at a wall of urinals with a bunch of grown men. No. Way.

Third, educate your kids. Teach them what is and is not OK or normal. They need to know they can come to you and that you WILL NOT FREAK OUT. You have to be a safe place for them to land. You have to be calm. And you have to be willing to believe them if something unthinkable happens. They have to know you will believe them. Tell them to trust their gut. If they sense danger, then danger is present...period. Don't be naive.

Fourth, look around. Who are those people in the seedy motels, walking down the road but going nowhere? Who is helping them? Find out. Ask how you can get involved. Can you foster parent a rescued child? Can you mentor a woman who is trying to come out of the sex trade and start over? Can you serve food to the homeless? You must realize that you will serve and wade through a lot of "takers" to get to the ones truly desperate for help. The desperate ones are rarely at the front of the food line. Talk to them. Love them. Listen. Watch those who are experienced in this type of ministry and learn how to be street smart (something I am not, but slowly learning). Pray for deliverance, for Light to pierce the darkness, for those on the front lines ministering and serving and taking great personal risk to rescue that little girl and boy behind the filthy bed with the big scared eyes.

And pray. Yes, I know I already mentioned that, but it deserves another shout!For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Ephesians 6:12

This is a battle at the deepest spiritual level for the hearts of the broken, abused, and hopeless. The spiritual warfare surrounding this type of ministry is unbelievable and exhausting. Only God can set the captives free. We must be on our faces for the sake of His vulnerable ones, the orphan, the widow, the slave. I believe it is our duty as the redeemed to seek the same redemption for them. Set an alarm on your phone, write it on your calendar, make it part of your daily to-do list to pray for the victims and our brothers and sisters who are face-to-face in the trenches with them in a holy, spirit-led attempt to shine light into their darkness. It is the least we can do.

Isaiah 1:16-17Wash yourselves; make yourselves clean;remove the evil of your deeds from before my eyes;cease to do evil,17 learn to do good;seek justice,correct oppression;bring justice to the fatherless,plead the widow's cause.
And, finally, if you would like to know more read this: The White Umbrella: Walking with Survivors of Sex Trafficking by Mary Francis Bowley and Louie Giglio

Available at wellspringliving.org and amazon.com.

It will open your eyes. It will break your heart. It will bring you to your knees.

1 comment:

One of the better books I have read later was by Christina Cain, Undaunted. It deals with sex trafficking. I think what struck me the most was that her book is so focused on the beauty and faithfulness of the Lord during such ugly depravity. We always have to renew our hearts by turning our gaze to Jesus. He is still bringing light into the darkness. Sweet friend, he is using you...that is awesome.